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A few weeks ago I mentioned that I anticipated posting a blog on manicures and received dozens of emails to please move it up on my list! I am NOT a professional. The advice herein is based on my own lifelong experience. It will be two parts because the hands need a little preparation before the pretty nails appear. So here it is:
Over the years I’ve been asked how I manage to maintain such nice nails. Everyone seems to feel I was born with great nails or that it’s a laborious process to have manicured nails. I’m here to share my secret that it is not. It does take some initial preparation if nails are in bad shape but after about two weeks even the most neglected nails will respond to tender treatment. Once they are conditioned a minimal manicure routine will keep them that way—forever!
When acrylic nails became popular many women who previously could not seem to manage a nice natural nail manicure at home found salon acrylics to be the answer to their prayers. The acrylics do look beautiful but they are costly and they take time for the constant visits for fills and lost nails and so forth. There are also health concerns about the process itself and the hygiene of various salons. Some salon equipment is not cleaned properly between manicure clients and some shops have been closed by county health agencies. There are even reports of permanently lost nail beds and fingers due to infection and fungus.
Most acrylic users wore very long acrylics when they first became popular but eventually many women pulled back to medium or shorter looks yet still acrylics. The acrylic is beautiful and for those who have no problem with shelling out the $$$$ and the trips to safe salons, feel free to skip this blog.
At one time I had very long nails (not acrylics) but for the past 10 or so years I’ve kept them somewhat short/medium. Many women today have left the long red nail style for shorter clear nails. But the nails and nail beds still must look good and a coat of clear polish does wonders.
Hands and feet are a credibility issue. Employers notice the hands and if certain summer shoe styles are worn the feet are noticed. Men and women also observe each other’s hands and feet when looking for romantic interludes. Most like clean men and women, including hands and feet. I take my dogs in every two months to have their nails trimmed.
When I’m out and about I often see feet in sandals that should be in boots. The pedicure is just as easy as the manicure. Dirty feet and nails are not just unattractive but they are unsanitary. Sometimes people are nicely dressed and their feet are horrible. People forget their feet! This goes for men too. I’ve seen toenails on men that could be used as weapons of mass destruction (and often are when snuggling).
Sometimes when I’m out and about and around people where hands are viewed I’m alarmed to see that often their nails are dirty. This doesn’t mean the hands are but the person may work in the garden or work with something that leaves residue under the nail. When I work in the garden I use gardening gloves but sometimes I remove the gloves if they are too bulky for something I’m doing that requires a fine touch. When I’m done, I use a nailbrush. I keep the nailbrush right next to the sink. Out of sight out of mind so it’s simple enough to keep it right next to the sink. If dirt is too embedded I soak the nails for just a few minutes in hot water and soap. Catching it quickly before it has time to make a home under there is key to its easy removal. There’s a funny commercial where a cartoon fungus character looks for a nice cozy place to live. It’s not a joke.
My father worked in a dirty environment in the trucking industry for many years but when he came home he changed and showered and cleaned his nails. He kept them short to prevent yucky stuff from collecting there. He later owned a restaurant and did the same routine because of food handling, also a dirty environment.
If nails aren’t polished or trimmed or kept in good condition, they should at least be clean. If nothing else is done, the nails should be clean. It’s a complete turnoff for most people to see dirty nails. Some work is done in environments with materials that stain the hands but I have noticed more and more of these professionals use gloves. So many wonderful gloves are made today and many feel like they aren’t even there. The gloves are often worn to protect the person from disease or dangerous substances but they sure help keep the hands clean. We eat with our hands. I have watched people bring burgers to their mouths with dirty nails. It’s a great dieting tool for me.
I use several types of gloves: Thick rubber gloves for gardening and thinner gardening gloves for sweeping and non thorn-related work, thin latex or non latex for most uses, thicker “dish” washing gloves that are easy to slip the hands into quickly and just as quickly slip them out. (It’s a habit but a good one. I get them a bit large so that I don’t struggle to get my hands in and out. If it’s cumbersome, people won’t do it.)
So basically here’s what needs to be done after a preliminary review of the nails. If the nails aren’t too bad begin the steps in next week’s blog. If they are out of control let’s get them in order first and remember, this will not have to be done again unless the routine disappears.
CONDITIONING: First, supplies. Emery boards, a cuticle stick, clear polish or color polish, hand lotion, petroleum jelly, nail clippers (small ones), small space heater or professional manicure heater, and manicure gloves to be worn during the night while sleeping for the conditioning phase. These gloves are made specifically for this purpose and are inexpensive and never need to be replaced, just laundered. I have socks specifically made for the pedicure too.
Take a long hard look at the hands. (All of this is ditto for the feet.) The nails should all be the same length and slightly rounded or a modified square but with slightly rounded edges across the top of the nail but not filed down the sides. This style keeps them from breaking and getting caught on things throughout the day. Use the nail clipper and emery board and make each nail smooth and short. For now. If super short is preferred, it’s still nice to have a smooth filing over the top. If (horrors) a nail breaks, resign yourself to the sad fact that ALL of the remaining nails must be filed down to match the broken nail. Hands with nails of assorted lengths are not attractive.
Now look at the cuticles. Most people never touch their cuticles and that is not healthy for the nail bed. Some salons never touch the cuticles and if the salon ignores the cuticle, change salons. Cuticles should NEVER be cut or clipped. All that is necessary for a healthy looking cuticle is soaking and pushing with a cuticle stick and once they are conditioned just pushing them gently with the fingers is enough to keep them nice. If the cuticle is very tight it may take a few days to move it.
Cuticle sticks come in a variety of styles. (See photo at left.) They are pointy on one end usually have a flat “moon” on the other end. The pointy part cleans under the nail and the half-moon pushes the cuticle into compliance. Wooden are my favorite but I currently use a plastic one that came in travel kit I found.
I mention the cuticle a lot in this blog because it’s the key to pretty nails and growth. I’ve learned there are many people who have never worked with the cuticle and once they do they are amazed at how their nails grow. If the cuticle doesn’t move easily at first don’t push too hard. If the nails are bad it may take a few treatments. Like I said, initially to get the nails in good shape it may take two weeks.
After the nails have been trimmed and filed to a nice short length and the cuticles have been worked on, the next step will make all the difference in the maintenance of nice hands. Right before bed dip each finger into the petroleum jelly up to the first knuckle then put on the manicure gloves without removing the excess petroleum jelly. A nice big glob is what works. Do this a few times throughout the first two weeks but not every night unless your hands are hideous. (Be honest. And the feet are usually hideous if they haven’t been taken care of. Don’t forget the heel. Eww.) Once in a while it’s nice to do this to the hands and feet to keep them from getting rough even after they have gotten into pretty good shape.
Every few days throughout this two-week period look at the nails and use the cuticle stick and file as needed. Improvement will appear in just a few days. Resist the urge to cut anything off that doesn’t belong there around the cuticle. It will drop off by itself in a few days. Just keep pushing the cuticle. I push my cuticles throughout the day without even thinking. It takes SECONDS to do both hands. The cuticle is the key to pretty nails.
Every day rub lotion onto the nails several times a day especially around the cuticles. Massage the lotion into the nail bed. It feels good and will improve their appearance but the petroleum jelly is what will do the most work. Note: Doris Day used to completely cover her entire body with petroleum jelly on a weekly basis then go to bed in a sweat suit, socks, and gloves. She swore it was what kept her youthful and beautiful. Some do this with their hair but I imagine it would take a couple of bottles of shampoo to get rid of it.
After two weeks it’s time for The Mani-Pedi. The first week may be a learning curve. However, after only one week nice nails will appear and it should be an encouragement to continue the routine. Remember: The maintenance phase won’t be necessary anymore once the regular routine begins. Just the daily steps will keep the nails looking great.
I’ve used this method on myself for years but I have helped countless family members and friends too. The only problem with this routine is that some people fall off the wagon. I’m posting a few photos of my nails and the cuticle stick. Disregard the wrinkles. No petroleum jelly in the world is going to make them go away. Next week: the 7 steps.
www.sharonstrawhandgarner.com
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